Vortex Metals Inc. has completed a large 180-square-kilometre helicopter airborne geophysical survey and received the final report for its Illapel copper-silver project in the Choapa province of the Coquimbo Region in northern Chile.

The survey was designed to map geology, alteration, and structures across the entire concession area. Survey parameters included high-resolution helicopter magnetic, VLF, and Gamma-ray spectrometry flown at a 100-metre line-spacing for a total of 2,000 line-kilometres. New-Sense Geophysics Ltd. handled the data compilation and processing before delivering the final products to Vortex.

In-house geological and geophysical personnel are currently interpreting the data. While the work remains in its initial stages, preliminary findings indicate that known mineralization is associated with well-defined areas of magnetic lows and that favourable structures may extend under cover. Given the presence of high-grade copper and silver mineralization at the Rio 27 mine within the concession area, Vortex expects the newly identified targets to prove highly prospective for manto-style mineralization.

The company holds an option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the brownfield Illapel project. This airborne geophysical program supports Phase II exploration across the property, which was initiated to cover the entire 180-square-kilometre concession package.

Phase II builds directly upon earlier Phase I exploration at the site. The initial program comprised eight diamond drill holes totalling 2,025 metres, which successfully intersected lower-grade sulphide mineralization and hydrothermal alteration alongside multiple intercepts of disseminated copper minerals. Notably, hole DVM-08 encountered a 0.60-metre interval of strong chalcocite and bornite, consistent with the high-grade mantos found at the Rio 27 mine.

Vortex is utilising the current geophysical interpretation to define specific targets for detailed follow-up by ground geophysics and drilling. Broader activity across the surrounding copper district also advanced during the period, highlighted by Aldebaran Resources reporting assay results from its Altar copper-gold project, including hole ALD-26-267 returning 1,257.30 metres grading 0.66% copper equivalent.

Read the full announcement: Vortex Announces Preliminary Interpretation of Geophysics Survey on Illapel Copper Project